Matusz - Is it possible?

[wildcard]

Matusz makes 3.2m this year. If offered arbitration he would be close to 5M next year. I think they non tender him.

Last off season they signed Wesley Wright for 1.7M to take Matusz's place. That didn't work. I think Dan tries harder this off season to find a lefty replacement. One that can get righties out too.

[LookitsPuck]

Interesting thing about Matusz:

SO/9

2013: 8.8

2014: 9.2

2015: 10.4

BB/9

2013: 2.8

2014: 3.0

2015: 4.2

H/9

2013: 7.6

2014: 8.9

2015: 6.8

Now, PA break down:

2013: 96 vs. righties, 112 vs. lefties

2014: 114 vs. righties, 112 vs. lefties

2015: 84 vs. righties, 79 vs. lefties

Against righties:

2013: .302/.375 /.372 - .747 OPS

2014: .277 /.351/.525 - .876 OPS

2015: .288/.415 /.409 - .824 OPS

So, he's still facing A LOT of righties. But I'm guessing the strategy is to pitch around them. Maybe that's why his control numbers are such a disaster?

Let's compare Matusz to Chen:

.265/.311/.451 - .762 OPS career numbers vs. righties

Chen is not known for doing well against righties. But Matusz's career against righties (including starting):

.302/.371/.489 - .860 OPS

About 100 points higher OPS against righties than Chen. And that's mixing in 3 years worth of relief appearances where he's pitching around righties and with increased velocity (I'd imagine) being in the relief role.

Personally I think it's fools gold to put Matusz in the rotation. I could see him sporting an ERA over 5 in a starting role just due to the number of righties he'll have to face, being exposed to hitters multiple times through the order, lack of control against righties and decreased "stuff" in a starting role.

[LookitsPuck]

Matusz makes 3.2m this year. If offered arbitration he would be close to 5M next year. I think they non tender him.

Last off season they signed Wesley Wright for 1.7M to take Matusz's place. That didn't work. I think Dan tries harder this off season to find a lefty replacement. One that can get righties out too.

Wasn't that guy named Ryan Webb?

Vs. righties: .260/.313/.403 - .716 OPS

Vs. lefties: .159/.232/.302 - .533 OPS

Made LESS than Matusz this year AND Duquette traded a draft pick along with him with minor league filler to the Dodgers for Ben Rowen in a salary dump that still makes me scratch my head.

[Tony-OH]

Problem is, he is going to be due north of $4M in arbitration, too much for a LOOGY. At that salary, O's have to consider either non-tender or go in the opposite direction and make him a starter. I wonder if he might be open to an extension at his current salary and stay as a LOOGY/low leverage guy. Something like 3 years/$10M. If he won't do that, I say non-tender and role with Cabral or whomever.

With his expected salary next year, there is no doubt if Matusz comes back next year it has to be with the understanding that he's going to be in the rotation. I think with his struggles against right-handers that could be a problem unless he can get that change up back that used to be his best pitch. With Chen's expected departure and the trade of Davies, there is going to be a spot available in that rotation next year so it will be interesting to see if Matusz is given a shot. It could be expensive experiment but he didn't look terrible this spring as a starter so I would rule it out either.

[Grt 2BA FL Gator]

With his expected salary next year, there is no doubt if Matusz comes back next year it has to be with the understanding that he's going to be in the rotation. I think with his struggles against right-handers that could be a problem unless he can get that change up back that used to be his best pitch. With Chen's expected departure and the trade of Davies, there is going to be a spot available in that rotation next year so it will be interesting to see if Matusz is given a shot. It could be expensive experiment but he didn't look terrible this spring as a starter so I would rule it out either.

The change up was the key when he was dominant at the end of 2009. He is throwing it a little more. I think it's worth a shot. His velocity has been pretty consistent in the past couple years (it was awful in 2010 when he got shelled). Command and that change up are the keys. He may never regain what he once showed, but it's worth a shot.

[spiritof66]

I think Matusz as a starter (other than maybe a 4- or 5-inning effort in an emergency) is a long shot, and it's not going to be worth the price tag to take that shot. But I thought I'd use this string to say for about the tenth time that I really don't like the idea of competing in this division, especially against the NYY, without a LH in the rotation.

[DrungoHazewood]

So, he's still facing A LOT of righties. But I'm guessing the strategy is to pitch around them. Maybe that's why his control numbers are such a disaster?

Only the most extreme LOOGYs face more lefties than righties. I think Matusz has a fairly standard mix of opposing batters for a lefty specialist.

[Aglets]

Most of us wanted Matusz to be non-tendered this past offseason because of his salary. I haven't seen anything this season to make me want to change my mind. He's a failed starter, and a decent to mediocre LOOGY.......not something you want to pay a whole lot for.

[Aristotelian]

I think Matusz as a starter (other than maybe a 4- or 5-inning effort in an emergency) is a long shot, and it's not going to be worth the price tag to take that shot. But I thought I'd use this string to say for about the tenth time that I really don't like the idea of competing in this division, especially against the NYY, without a LH in the rotation.

I think the odds are higher of Miranda being good or Chen being resigned than Matusz making it as a LH starter.

I would lean toward non-tender, then see if he would resign for one or two years on a Wesley Wright type deal. Then give him a shot at the rotation with no guarantees. If someone else wants to pay him starter money let them take the risk.

[EagleOriole]

I would non-tender him. He will probably sign a short term deal with a team that will try to convert him to a starter - which might be a great idea in Seattle or San Diego. Let him experiment with some else. Pretty sure Cesar Cabral or Chris Jones can fill his spot.

[winkies]

Man emotionally and mentally I can't another game of Matusz let alone another year.

I'm spent when it comes to him.

[Can_of_corn]

Man emotionally and mentally I can't another game of Matusz let alone another year.

I'm spent when it comes to him.

He was pretty brutal the other night.

Oh wait...

[winkies]

He was pretty brutal the other night.

Oh wait...

I get it. It's sore eyes need a change of scenery.

[Can_of_corn]

I get it. It's sore eyes need a change of scenery.

I don't want him back, and the lack of command is maddening at time, but he's really fairly effective.

[O's84]

We'll trade him to Chicago and he'll magically turn into a #2/3 starter.